International Olympic Committee Chairman Thomas Bach recently complained there was no “scientifically reliable” method to distinguish between male and female athletes.
His comments followed controversy at the Paris Games involving female boxers Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting, who had elevated testosterone levels.
“We have said from the very beginning, if somebody is presenting us a scientifically solid system how to identify men and women, we are the first ones to do it,” Bach said. “We do not like this uncertainty. We do not like it for the overall situation for nobody.”
Bach emphasized that the IOC is open to adopting a solid system if one is presented but criticized the reliance on visual judgments or non-credible sources.
“So, we would be more than pleased to look into it,” he continued. “But what is not possible is that somebody is saying, you know, this is not a woman, just by looking at somebody or by falling prey to a defamation campaign by not a credible organization.”
Khelif’s gold medal win in women’s boxing is expected to intensify ongoing debates about fairness in women’s sports.
